Emperor Wilhelm I German Embossed Leather Cover

Updated August 27, 2026

This historic German Empire leather cover features a deeply embossed central profile portrait of Emperor Wilhelm I (Wilhelm I. Deutscher Kaiser, König von Preussen), likely produced during his reign between 1871 and 1888. The cover showcases detailed relief work depicting the emperor in military attire wearing a traditional peaked cap (Schirmmütze), surrounded by elaborate scrollwork. Two top binding holes indicate its original function as a notebook or calendar cover. The reverse side displays a heavily aged, fibrous backing paper layer over a cardboard core, with visible loss, cracking, and exposure of the underlying board. The piece measures 5.75 x 3.25 inches. The front leather panel retains crisp relief detail with light edge wear, minor rubbing, and small traces of dark residue along the lower margin. Binding holes show light tearing, but the structure remains sound. This item exemplifies late 19th-century Imperial German memorabilia.

More lots in this auction

• 1925 German Book 'Deutschland Vergangenheit und'
• Luftwaffe Fighter Ace Aircraft History Books, (8)
• 1932 LA Olympic Games German Cigarette Book
• WWI German Model 1884/98 Bayonet with Scabbard
• 200 Jahre Staatsoper Berlin Im Bild, 1942 Edition
• 1938 Norddeutscher Lloyd Ocean Liner Menus, (36)
• Flak Verteidigt die Heimat Regimental Book 1942
• 1936 Berlin Olympics Venue Postcards

See all lots in The Bagale Collection, Session VI – Optics & Militaria →